Clatterbridge cyclist Stephen Cummings wins Day Three of the 2009 Giro del Capo in South Africa.

Mar 11 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Clatterbridge cyclist Stephen Cummings wins Day Three of the 2009 Giro del Capo in South Africa.

CLATTERBRIDGE cyclist Stephen Cummings sprinted over the finish line to take his third win of his professional cycling career in Day Three of the Cape Argus PPA Giro del Capo tour in South Africa.

With just 5km’s to the finish line, a group of 30 split into 17 of the top riders all gunning for the finish line, but it was Team Barloworld's Cummings that managed to stay ahead of the group to claim his victory and Barloworld's third win.

Cummings was followed a few seconds later by Johann Rabie (Neotel) in second position and Dennis van Niekerk (Konica-Minolta) placing third, Felix 'the mountain cat' Cardenas finished in fourth position, just a few seconds behind Cummings.

At the 35km point of the 171km race, during the first climb up Franschoek Pass, David George from MTN escaped in a solo breakaway.

About two minutes behind him was a smaller breakaway which included John-Lee Augustyn, Robert Hunter, Chris Froome and Cardenas.

Team Barloworld's Daryl Impey remained behind in the second break which was just a few seconds in front of the third breakaway holding Stephen Cummings.

The 60km mark approached, just after Villiers drop when George realised he was about to get caught – he did.

A few minutes later a bunch of 40 attacked and a new group was formed.

The fragmented breakaways from Worcester took a short time to catch up and from there the peloton swelled to 100 riders.

Team Barloworld's Robert Hunter controlled the race at this stage, leading the peloton at a slow pace prior to reaching the bottom of Du Toits Kloof.

Day Two Giro del Capo winner, Froome attacked and went over the top of the climb with David George and Kevin Evans from MTN.

A group of 30 were hot on their heels – the team continued to work hard to pave a clear way for Team Barloworld's Cummings.

Claudio Corti, team manager, said: “It was very hot again today.

“The team took strain and worked from the start, but they gave me results.

“Cummings is in good shape and he deserved to win. Of course I am happy.”